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Reviews of Garrison Campsite

Campsite Search > UK > South West England > Isles Of Scilly > St Marys > Garrison Campsite > Reviews

Garrison Campsite
Garrison
St Marys
Isles Of Scilly   (Browse area)
TR21 0LS
Tel: 01720 422670
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Pitches: 129
Open: 01/03/2024 to 31/10/2024
           01/03/2025 to 31/10/2025

Rating: Average Review Score: 8/10 from 23 Reviews
                8/10 from 23 Reviews

 Tent Pitches   No Caravans   No Motorhomes   No Campervans 
 Glamping Units   No Statics for Hire   No Statics for Sale   No Seasonal Pitches 
 Electric Hookups   No Hardstandings   No Fully Serviced Pitches   Show Full Facilities
Who's it for
 Families Welcome   Not Members Only   Rallies Welcome   Not Naturist Site 
 Dogs Welcome   No Dogs Allowed   Groups Welcome 
Facilities
 Toilet Facilities   Hot Showers   Washing Up   No Bathroom 
 Baby Changing Facilities   Laundry On Site   Drinking Water   Disabled Friendly 
 No Chemical Disposal   Battery Charging   Gas Exchange   Recycling Facilities 
 No Kitchen Facilities   No Freezer / Fridge   No Motorhome Point   No Wifi Access 
 Shop On Site   Bar <1 mile   Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <1 mile 
Activities
 Kids Playground   No TV Room   No Games Room   No Evening Ents 
 Fishing <1 mile   Wild Swimming <1 mile   No Indoor Pool   Outdoor Pool <5 miles 
 Horse Riding <5 miles   Cycle Hire <1 mile   Golf <5 miles   Tennis <1 mile 
 Beach <1 mile   Watersports <1 mile   Boat Launch / Mooring <1 mile 
Other Features
 Sea Views   Not Working Farm   No Campfires Allowed 
 Coastside Pitches   Public Transport <1 mile  Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 

Reviews:  23 in total, now showing 11 to 20                 Previous 10          Next 10
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Date of Visit: July 2011 Unit:  Tent
Reviewer: Joncombe 6 reviews from this member

 This is the only campsite on St Mary's so if you want to camp here it's your only choice, so it's just as well it's a good one.

The site is very large with probably at least 10 different fields to use and you can even camp in the old moat. There are two toilet blocks each with toilets and showers and one also has a laundry. The site is large, mostly flat and there are loads of picnic tables about which is a nice touch.

Looking at it's location you might expect it to be exposed but it is in fact really sheltered so despite it being quite windy for a couple of days during my stay it wasn't a problem. The line of pine trees around the edge of the site probably helps. During my stay the site was really quiet too.

There is a footpath through the site to the Garrison walls where you can get good views over the other islands and watch the sun set.

The site has a shop which was open 9-10am and 5-6pm whilst I was there. There is also a Co-op in Hugh Town that is open 8am to 10pm daily (except Sundays when it is open from 10am to 4pm). It is about 10 minutes walk (although up hill on the way back so might take a bit longer).

The site is well located for the town and also the boats to the other islands. I used the helicopter and a shared taxi/minibus transfer from the airport costs £3. 50 each way. I believe the site also offers a transfer from the ferry if you come on the boat (but beware it leaves Penzance early!).

Electric hook ups are available. Note that cars are not permitted on the site which makes it nice and quiet and it's not a problem since there is no car ferry to the islands anway!

Only really one negative, the £1 charge for the showers is a pain as you have to make sure you have enough change. I imagine it a particular nuisance for families. I would rather the owners added £1 to the fees and dropped the charge for the showers. 


Date of Visit: September 2010 Unit:  Tent
Reviewer: Mr & Mrs Mungo 7 reviews from this member

 What a brilliant campsite! Loads of room to space out amongst the hedged fields. We were lucky enough to have a whole field to ourselves for the week. Local celebrities included blackbirds, sparrows, starlings and thrushes which were all very friendly and keen for our crumbs. Rabbits and hedgehogs too, so keep your food nice and safe.

Very good layout with views to the sea and large toilet and shower blocks with plenty of hot water. Showers were £1 a go but lasted for 5 mins. Laundry room if you needed it.

Lovely walks just outside the campsite around The Garrison, but the best thing was the fabulous welcome we had from Terry & Jackie in the shop, where nothing was a problem.

The town was 10 minutes walk away (15 coming back) where all the shops, restaurants, pubs and ferries are there at your disposal. 


Date of Visit: July 2010 Unit:  Tent
Reviewer: Chickpea67 1 review from this member

 We enjoyed staying at the Garrison campsite very much.

The logistics was very easy - with the owners collecting all our luggage at the quayside from the Scillonian III and driving it up to the site, where plenty of handcarts were available for onwards transport to our pitches.

Although the campsite was fully booked, I was surprised by how much space there was - we felt spaced far enough away from our neighbours and the toilet and shower block was never too busy. We were welcomed warmly by the owners, who were very helpful throughout the booking process and stay. The campsite shop was very useful, and the fresh croissants and pain au chocs were great (you need to be there shortly after 8.30 to be guaranteed fresh pastries).

The toilet and shower block was clean, and the hot water supply was fine when we wanted a shower, although there was a notice that the water flow could be variable if a lot of demand was placed on it.

Despite rain every day and one very stormy night (we did have sunshine too!), we had a great holiday on the Isles of Scilly, and would recommend the Isles, and the Garrison Campsite, to anyone who likes the sound of this sort of holiday. 


Date of Visit: August 2009 Unit:  Trailer Tent
Reviewer: Cruiser_crew 13 reviews from this member

 Spacious, level site on the top of the Garrison. This means that there is a very steep walk up to the site from Hugh Town.

Camping equipment is taken from the quayside up to the site by landrover so there is no need to carry it yourself. Many people had brought their camping equipment by trailer.

Trailer tents are permitted but the only road to the site goes through the garrison gate so there is a width limit.

The facilities are modern and clean. There are plenty of toilets and sinks - showers, however are £1 for 5 minutes.

The site is level and well maintained (take care of the occasional rocks.). There are no children's facilities on site but the site is right next to a football pitch (home of the smallest league in the world) and play area. Everything is so safe that all but the youngest children are fine to go there on their own.

Each field has a selection of picnic tables for you to help yourself to. There is a washing up point, laundry room and shop. The owners are friendly and helpful.

The islands are a beautiful as their reputation. Each island has a totally different character so a trip must involve some exploring off the off-islands which is extremely easy to do. The beaches are almost completely deserted and the rockpool life is outstanding. There are a lot of sandhoppers though!

==============================================

As there are no reviews of the other campsites on the islands I have included some information here - I couldn't resist seeing what the other sites were like for future reference!

St Agnes

Small sloping site at the Western end of the island. The sunset views must be wonderful. The tents seemed to pack themselves closely around any flat areas of land. The site is on the opposite end of the island to the quay and the pub but that is only a 10-15 minute walk

Bryher

Sloping site in a valley just above the excellent Fraggle Rock pub -not many flat pitches apparent. Very easy to get to the island shop and quayside

St Martins

Set just up from Lower town next to a massive expanse of white sand. Theer are some leve areas on this site but they seem to become very crowded. If you need space you'll need to put up with a slope. Short walk to the local pub, hotel and quays (higher town for high tides and lower town for low)

If you are transferring to an off island, you will need to help carry your camping gear between the Scillonian and the smaller boat for your island. This normally takes the form of everyone making a chain and helping each other out. 


Date of Visit: August 2009 Unit:  Tent
Reviewer: Fatfairy 1 review from this member

 We found the site to be very friendly,clean and peaceful. The toilets and showers were cleaned regularly and the shop open morning and evening for sundries. They also had fresh laid eggs and pain au chocolate fresh every morning!

Lots of tame wildlife-loads of little birds came to breakfast and there was even a black rabbit around as well.

Plenty of room for children to play and no noise allowed after 11pm. This was enforced on the one occasion it was breached.

Beautiful views on way to and fromcampsite. The transporting of camping gear from the quay works well and is run very smoothly.

Although August there wwas plenty of space between tents and you didn't feel croweded at all. Each pitch had its own picnic bench too which was a nice touch.

We will be back at some point.

It is a steep walk though from the town-you need to be fit!-yo

U will be fitter by the time you leave!

Only slight negative was the showers lose water pressure when busy and go to almost a trickle-not good when you're covered in shampoo and there is a time limit on the shower!

Thats all though which we think is pretty good.

Overall the best camping holiday we have had. 

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Date of Visit: July 2009 Unit:  Tent
Reviewer: DHut 5 reviews from this member

 Fantastic location but having visited the site several years ago, it seems an air of complacency has set in. No competition on St Marys, but I don't think that excuses the £1 charge for an inadequate shower, or the exorbitant £5 charge to use the laundry. After all, you're already paying about £20 plus a night per unit.

Toilet blocks are tired and not particularly clean. Showers are pathetic, in view of the charge - 1 hook, nowhere to put soap, flannel, extremely limited space with a flimsy shower curtain to keep the spray off your dry clothes, and then no space to change/dry. I found myself getting up early and having a strip wash instead. If the showers were free, you might just about accept them, but to charge for such a poor facility is just a bit rich.

The main thing you notice is the absence of cars - how peaceful! And of course, the very friendly bird population that join in with you whenever there's food about.

The shop is OK and well stocked and not too rip off. As a base for a holiday in the Scillies, it's probably still good value overall, but please, let's do something about those showers and toilets - either don't charge, or refurbish. 


Date of Visit: August 2008 Unit:  Tent
Reviewer: Dragoncat 1 review from this member

 We received a friendly welcome on our arrival to this campsite. The site was quite busy with families as it was August Bank Holiday. I found that it was a little loud at times with children running wild around peoples tents, however the site was peaceful after 11pm.
The site is large and quite sheltered from coastal winds, with plenty of toilet facilities but the showers were not particularly good and could have done with some shelves for soap and so on and some extra hooks for clothes. Generally, a little more attention to detail in the shower areas would be good.
The site is very tidy and there are bins which are well marked for recycling. The hedgerows and borders are abundant with plants and flowers such as Agapanthus which are home to hedge sparrows and other birds which are very tame, so don't be surprised to look up from your book and find one of these cheeky fellows eating crumbs from a sandwich right by your feet.
The site shop was equipped with the essentials and took delivery of croissant and pain au chocolat in the mornings; lovely with a cup of tea. It only takes ten minutes or so to walk on a road / track down to Hugh Town passing The Star Hotel and restaurant on the way. As you walk down to the town there are great views over to the other islands, St Agnus, Bryher, Tresco and St Martins. The Garrison campsite is a good base where one can enjoy great views, coastal walks and explore the other islands.
The straightforward way in which they organise the transportation of ones luggage from and to the small harbour is impressive and convenient. We can foresee a return to this site, but would book outside the school holidays. 


Date of Visit: May 1997 Unit:  Tent
Reviewer: Crazyguider 25 reviews from this member

 What a lovely site. Flat, sheltered and well cared for. The owners, Ted and Barbara could not do enough for us, and made the holiday gab.We went for the World Gig Champs and it was very full, however it was always clean!

I can't recommend this site highly enough! 


Date of Visit: July 2007 Unit:  Tent
Reviewer: Suep21 1 review from this member

 We stayed at the Garrison campsite for a week in July, and were lucky enough in this terrible summer to have near perfect weather.  This was especially important as it was our first experience of camping. 

We found the campsite to be fantastic in every way, with loads of space between tents, and able to choose our own pitch from a series of small sheltered field enclosures.  While there we shared the campsite with other families, groups of young people, a large group of scouts and a school group and there was space for everyone without being disturbed.  There are two toilet/shower blocks £1 for 5 minutes of shower, which other campers thought a bit much, and plenty of free hot water for washing up at all times.  There's also one laundry room with washing machines, sinks, spin dryer and tumble dryer.  The site has a small shop selling all the essentials in small quantities, freezer block freezing service, mobile phone charging and fresh croissants, own free range eggs.  The toilet blocks were thoroughly cleaned every day.  We had a fantastic holiday and can recommend the site.
 
We travelled by plane, which is difficult if your luggage/tent is heavy as there are weight restrictions, but is pleasanter than the Scillonian which is not an easy crossing for anyone who suffers from sea sickness.  The Scillonian will also make the crossing (I gather) whatever the weather whereas the plane is a bit more prone to cancellations due to bad weather - our plane was cancelled on the outward journey so were forced onto the boat.
 
We would definitely stay at this camp site again.  Brilliant holiday! 


Reviewer: Iansails 5 reviews from this member

 August 2005
This campsite is the only site on St Mary's, and is adequate but not great. There is low water pressure in the showers at busy times, and the site is a bit untidy and in need of a facelift.
Shop provides some useful services, such as a freezer and phone charging, but doesn't have much food. A nearby buoy off the headland rings a bell 24 hours a day, you can hear it at night. Tents are well spaced, and there is good shelter from the wind(unlike the site on St Agnes!)
However, it's still worth it as it's the best place to be based if you want to use the boat service toy
the other islands. 


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Common Questions

Is Garrison Campsite child friendly?  YES, it accepts children & has a playground  View all facilities

Where is the nearest shop to Garrison Campsite?  There is a shop on site  View all facilities

Is Garrison Campsite dog friendly?  YES  View all facilities




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